Teeth grinding

[Mary1959]

Hi I've been given a mouth guard from my dentist as I grind my teeth while sleeping. The dentist says it should help my migraines as well as protect my teeth, but it seems to make my headaches worse, as I wake in the night with the guard clamped around my teeth tightly, and my jaw aching, I also find it dries out my mouth and can make it difficult to swallow. Also, has anyone found one nostril blocked during a migran episode?

[Gambit62]

blocked nostril is a symptom I can relate to. think it is quite common.

Suggest you speak to the dentist about the guard as it obviously isn't working for you

[Mary1959 in reply to Gambit62]

Thankyou for your reply

[Cat00]

Teeth guards are not expected to help migraines, because they don't stop the pressure in the jaw. They are just supposed to protect your teeth. I've had chronic migraines for over 30 years, I've had a tooth guard for pretty much the same amount of time.A Michigan Splint claims to be able to "cure" migraines, but only if your migraines are caused by your jaw.

I tend to take my guard out and throw it across the room in my sleep bc the thing clamped on my teeth hurts. I've just got z different one recently that is a soft guard but ut just hurts in a different way!

Blocked nose on one side is a classic autonomic symptoms for migraine, as a drooped eyelid on one side is also typical too.

[Mary1959 in reply to Cat00]

Thankyou for your reply, you sound like you've experienced same as me. I will speak to my dentist about the guard, it seems that, one problem is replaced with another, I end up with migrane, through lack of sleep, caused by the guard waking me up! I've also noticed my eye looks droopy when I get the blocked nostril.

[Cat00 in reply to Mary1959]

Michigan splints cost about £800+ I've had migraines since childhood so unlikely to be bite related.I sleep exceptionally badly anyway, also since childhood, so I'm used to that, but I did find the hard tooth guards painful. My dentist said they were very difficult to make well and that's why generally make soft ones. They did say with a soft guard you tend to chew more though. It's all about saving your teeth rather than reducing pain sadly.

[Mary1959 in reply to Cat00]

Yeah I guess so, I value my teeth but I don't think I can tolerate the guard I have now. I sleep badly too and there's such a long list of triggers for my migranes, it's just trial and error to find some relief.

[Onthemove1971]

Just curious if you have had a sleep study?

[Mary1959 in reply to Onthemove1971]

No I've never had one, I'm waiting to see a headache specialist so maybe they will suggest it. Thanks for your reply.

[Onthemove1971]

It is great that you are going to see a headace specialist, there is a shortage of them. My sleep study was done at home while I slept. It found I have sleep apnea.. so this could be the root of my migraines.

I would suggest you ask the specialist about it.

Have you head of the podcast " heads up"? They are amazing specialist and I have learned so much about how to deal with so many aspects of living with migraines. One of them also has migraines so she can relate to us.

Good luck !!

[Mary1959 in reply to Onthemove1971]

No I haven't but will look into it. Thanks so much for your reply and I hope you're migrane improve too. Take care Sue x

[PurpleTranmere]

I too have chronic migraines and grind my teeth. I have a mouth guard from the dentist but can’t wear it as it’s too rigid. I have brought a soft one you mould yourself and I have been wearing it for years. It doesn’t help with the migraines but definitely helps your teeth.